The decision to grant plans for Great Yarmouth’s third river crossing national status to help the planning process has been welcomed by a senior councillor and MP for the town.
On Wednesday it was announced that the £120m scheme, which is due to start in October 2020, had been designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project by Chris Grayling, the secretary of state for transport.
The third bridge plan is being driven by Norfolk County Council, which will now reap the benefits of a streamlined planning process through the national status.
Martin Wilby, chairman of Norfolk County Council’s environment, development and transport committee, said: “It’s brilliant news that the third river crossing has been designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. “The people and businesses of Yarmouth need and deserve this crossing and getting this accolade from the secretary of state for transport means that all the hard work and dedication by the council and its partners to make this project happen has been worthwhile.
“This new bridge will help tackle the town’s traffic congestion and make it easier and more attractive to visit and do business there, which is good for Yarmouth’s future and its economy and therefore good for Norfolk.”
Brandon Lewis, MP for Great Yarmouth, said: “I am delighted that the secretary of state has designated Great Yarmouth’s third river crossing a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.
“The crossing will provide numerous opportunities for Great Yarmouth, and will open up new prospects for investment in the town and the Enterprise Zone.
“The decision to designate the third river crossing as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project also means that the project can maintain the planned delivery programme and is on course for construction to start in October 2020.”
In November the chancellor Philip Hammond announced £98m for the Great Yarmouth bridge scheme, with the county council sourcing the rest of the funding.
A county council report has said it is hoped the bridge will be open to traffic in 2023.
A public consultation also showed people were in favour of a bascule bridge instead of an alternative plan of a swing bridge.
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